Around 30 mission scholars and practitioners from Asia, Africa, and Europe will flock to Silliman to attend the International Mission Conference on from June 26 to July 1.

Highlighting the conference is a series of public lectures on June 27 at the Silliman Hall. Themed “Mission Still Possible? Global Perspectives on Mission Theology and Mission Practice,” the lectures will feature theological experts from various countries who will deliver reflections on mission theology and practice, with attention to its global and local aspects based on the cultures of the countries where they come from.

There are three key plenary speakers: Prof. Dr. (Em.) Dieter Becker from Augustana Theological Seminary in Germany, on “Changing Paradigms in Mission Theology in View of Global Challenges, Interreligious Conflicts and Secular Skepticism towards Religious Institutions and Movements”; Dr. Véronique K. Kahindo from Université Libre des Pays des Grands Lacs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, on “Growing Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements in Africa: A Challenge to Christian Mission”; and Dr. Josef Hehanussa from the University of Duta Wacana in Indonesia on “New Challenge for Christian Mission in the Context of Religious Fundamentalism and Radicalism”.

Their lectures will also be open to the public, especially to the Silliman community and workers and lay leaders from the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP).

The conference is part of the 20th anniversary celebration of the United Evangelical Mission, a communion of churches in Asia, Africa, and Europe, of which UCCP is a member. In Silliman, the event is co-organized by the Divinity School’s International Center for Mission Studies in Asia.